Notes and Queries, Vol. V, Number 130, April 24, 1852: A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc. — John Shaqi
Notes and Queries, Vol. V, Number 130, April 24, 1852: A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc.Various
History
Notes and Queries, Vol. V, Number 130, April 24, 1852: A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc.
Various
Questions and answers -- Periodicals
INVERURIENSIS.
GENERAL WOLFE.
(Vol. iv., p. 438.; Vol. v., p. 185., &c.)
Although not affording answers to the Queries in Vol. iv., p. 438. _et
infra_, the following may not be uninteresting to your correspondent.
There is much concerning Wolfe in the _Historical Journal of Campaigns
in North America_, by Captain Knox, dedicated by permission to Sir
Jeffery Amherst, who commanded that part of the expedition against
Canada which, striking on the lower end of Lake Ontario, descended the
St. Lawrence to Montreal, whilst Wolfe, ascending the river, operated
against Quebec. Thus it appears that General and Sir Jeffery Amherst
were one and the same person. The frontispiece to the 1st vol. is a
portrait of General Amherst, that of vol. 2nd is a portrait of General
Wolfe; both so characteristic, that I should presume they are
likenesses, although no authority is given.
In 1828, I saw at Quebec the man who attended Wolfe as orderly-serjeant
on the day of his death; and what may be considered a curious
coincidence was, that he bore the same name as Wolfe's mother, viz.
Thompson. Mr. Thompson was a very respectable and much-respected old
man; and, I believe, was occasionally a guest at the Governor's table.
He had a son in the Commissariat department, who is no doubt in
possession of all his father knew concerning Wolfe.
According to Mr. Thompson, Wolfe always addressed his men "brother
soldiers;" and their pet-name for him was, "The little red-haired
corporal." Thompson was not the only remnant of Wolfe's army in 1828, as
appears by the following:--
"General Orders, Head Quarters, Quebec, 7th Aug. 1828.
"1. The Commander of the Forces is pleased to authorise the
payment of a pension, at the rate of 1_s._ per diem from 25th May
last, to Robert Simpson, a veteran, now ninety-six years of age,
who fought on the plains of Abraham under Gen. Wolfe," &c. &c.
On the 12th Jan. 1829, died at Kingston, U. C., John Gray of
Argyleshire, N. B., aged ninety-six. He had served at Louisburg, Quebec,
&c. &c. under Sir Jeffery Amherst and General Wolfe.
A. C. M.
Exeter.
I send the following extracts from the newspapers respecting Wolfe,
scarcely knowing whether it may be worth while. Such as they are, they
are at your service:--
"Hoc ultimum opus virtutis edens in victoria coesus."
"To the highest military merit undoubtedly belongs the highest
applause, but setting aside the froth of panegyrick--
"Who formed the 20th regt. of foot, exemplary in the field of
Minden, only by practising what was familiar to them?
"Who at Rochefort offered to make a good landing, not asking how
many were the French, but where are they?
"Who, second then in command, was second to none in those
laborious dangers which reduced Louisburgh?
"Who wrote like Cæsar from before Quebec?
"Who, like Epaminondas, died in victory?
"Who never gave his country cause of complaint except by his
death?
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